A week had passed in the blink of an eye, and my body had finally regained full vitality, so I soon started working more actively in the fields. André hosted me in his home all this time. Fortunately, I noticed his attitude toward me change over these days.

  At first, he was too direct and curt, to the point of only speaking to me when necessary. It was due to the little commotion I caused on the first day we met. Understandable, since he's kind of a leader here and fears my presence might affect not just his family, but the whole village.

  But over time, I earned his favor, so to speak. He no longer averts his gaze when we talk, and he's more polite with his words. All thanks to the effort I put into working the crops and the farm.

  Because of that, I also cleared my image with some villagers. They too thought my presence would bring trouble, but thanks to my hard work—and Limara's support—I finally got seen in a good light.

  André even assigned me certain tasks, since it was common for his son Darel to not finish them or do them half-assed. He just wandered the woods doing who knows what, and that annoyed his father, while his sister always worried some monster would attack her brother on one of his strolls.

  I adapted somewhat to farm work, but I had issues in other areas.

  There's no electricity or running water here. If I wanted a shower or to wash my clothes, I had to go out to a river. In my previous life, even though I was a guy with nowhere to crash, at least I had those basic comforts that now seem like total luxury.

  It also bugs me a bit to wake up before sunrise, but I have no choice. This family has an extra mouth to feed, so I can't afford to be lazy. Maybe Darel can, but not me.

  Luckily, we'd finished the hardest part of the work, so I had more free time. The downside is there's not much to do around here besides counting tree leaves or pondering life. So much so I could even get a philosophy degree.

  Truth is, though my old world was crap, I miss certain things about it.

  I'm with the family, seated at the dining table. Midday sunlight filtered through the window, clashing with dust particles.

  Limara had prepared carrot and turnip soup with a hunk of hard bread. Steam from the huge pot enveloped us.

  I broke off a piece of bread and soaked it in the liquid to soften it. Another thing I haven't gotten used to is the food. Compared to my world, it's less seasoned and simpler.

  Well, complaining does no good. Better to have a full belly than starve, especially after a workday.

  We ate in silence, only the clink of utensils on plates and chewing sounds. Darel slurped the soup annoyingly.

  "Ethan, tell me, what are your plans for the future?"

  The family leader broke the silence with a question I didn't expect.

  "Well..." Scrambling my thoughts, I tried to think of a response. "I don't know yet."

  It hit me like a bucket of cold water. At first, I'd promised myself to leave their house once recovered to not be a burden, but that promise dragged on longer than I thought.

  Did I mess up by getting comfortable?

  Of course, I didn't plan to stay forever, but... I don't know. I didn't expect it to be so soon.

  "You said you traveled from who knows where to find work." He continued. "Thought about what you want to do?"

  Dedicate myself to something? Never thought about it. Whenever I needed money, I'd go out robbing poor saps at night or find quick jobs like at the factory.

  Plus, I'm not good at anything. What could I do with no skills?

  Pushing aside an empty plate, André crossed his arms.

  "Look, don't think I'm kicking you out, but I don't have resources to care for someone else. Hope you understand."

  "Yeah... I get it."

  I couldn't look him in the eyes. I felt shame and discomfort. I could only see my reflection in the steaming soup below my face.

  "Thanks for your help in our fields, but you need to do something for yourself."

  What can I do? I have nothing and don't want to go back to old habits.

  "Do you have family? Did you leave them to find something better?"

  "No, I don't have family."

  I laughed inwardly. They're the only people I know. I'm alone. Though not the first time, it feels different here.

  A sepulchral silence ruled the table.

  I need to think: how to survive in an unknown world? First, get money and a place to stay. But how? Or rather, where can I get those things?

  The conversation continued.

  I asked the homeowner if I could find something here, but got a no. It's a small village surviving on what it produces.

  Limara stepped in after a bit.

  "What if you go to Olmir? You'd have better chances of finding work there."

  "Yeah, she's right. You won't find anything here."

  "And where's that?" I whispered.

  "Darel's going in a few days to sell our harvest. Go with him." Shifting his eyes, André looked at his son. "Hear that? Ethan's going with you."

  "Yeah, yeah. I heard."

  I tried to banish the bad thoughts starting to take over my mind. I'll just get discouraged if I think everything will go wrong. I survived death twice; I can handle this. How hard is finding work in a different world?

  We finished eating. Limara cleared the table, taking the plates to the kitchen.

  I followed to help her. I've been lending a hand with house chores lately. We started cleaning without speaking. She washed with water and soap, and I dried the plates. It went on like that for minutes.

  I wanted to say something to break the ice, but nothing came to mind. And I think not for her either. I could tell how uncomfortable she felt from the table chat.

  "Sorry about my dad. Don't think we're kicking you out or anything."

  "It's fine. It's time I find something."

  We finished cleaning. She left the house headed to the river carrying a basket of laundry. I sat outside the house gazing at the mountainous landscape, resting a bit before returning to work.

  I sighed.

  I had to find a way to make a living. Even going to that city called Olmir, nothing guarantees I'll find something. Not to mention, as I said: no skills.

  I swallowed hard. I said I'd eliminate these bad thoughts, but it's hard when everything's against me.

  Plus, where will I sleep? I stopped sleeping on streets long ago thanks to that trailer I found. Not the first time, but I don't want to go through that again.

  What a misfortune.

  I stayed seated, gaze lost. Fighting internally against my pessimistic thoughts, trying to counter them somehow.

  Feeling my pessimism gain ground, I sighed and lifted my ass from the chair. Intending to return to work. I needed a distraction.

  Sitting and lamenting things that haven't happened is a waste. That's something I want to avoid in this new life, if possible.

  Before I could get far enough, I heard André's voice calling from inside the house. I turned and hurried back.

  "Ethan, you busy?" he asked.

  "I was heading to the fields."

  "Forget that for today. I want a favor from you."

  Stepping back, André took a breath and yelled his son's name.

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  "Darel! Come down!"

  I heard him respond from the second floor. Coming down the stairs soon after while rubbing his eyes.

  Was he sleeping...?

  "What happened?" he muttered, yawning heavily seconds later.

  "I need you to go to the woods and hunt something small for dinner. We're out of meat."

  For a few seconds, I saw his face light up with enthusiasm.

  Darel turned, taking a few steps before his father stopped him cold by saying he'd have company.

  "Wait, this time you're going with Ethan. I want him to learn hunting."

  "What? Why? He'll just get in the way."

  I knew what would happen next.

  They started arguing. Darel refusing to take me, giving arguments only valid to him, and his father insisting I go with his son.

  I stayed quiet. No point getting into the conversation.

  But for once, I agreed with him. Honestly, I don't like the family son much, and I think he feels the same. During my stay, we only spoke when necessary, and only during work hours. Outside that, neither addressed the other.

  I didn't know why André asked this of me. I guess he wants me to learn to get food on my own if in the worst case I don't find work.

  "But..."

  "It's an order! Stop wasting my time and do what I say."

  Darel was pushed aside with a small shove from his father. Who went back into the house to do his things. I noticed him muttering complaints when he saw André out of reach.

  He scratched his head and sighed. The last thing he told me was to wait at the house entrance.

  After a while waiting seated, Darel finally returned.

  He carried two bows and quivers of arrows.

  "Here, put on the quiver and follow me." He indicated.

  Well, now I know what the arrow case is called.

  As best I could, I put on the quiver, wrapping the black leather belt around my body and settling it on my back. He did it with enviable skill.

  "Come on, mystery boy. I don't want to take all day."

  Limara's brother had nicknamed me mystery boy to mock and discredit the truth about my origin, which I'd shared with the family. Though none believed me fully.

  At first, it bothered me being called that, but over time I stopped caring.

  I'd waste breath arguing with him. Plus, I couldn't anyway. I didn't want trouble with his father and get kicked out.

  Though now I don't know if I care, since technically they already booted me.

  We headed to the woods. The village houses shrank as we went deeper.

  During my stay, I learned certain family details, mainly chatting with André during work breaks. For example, Darel is the older brother, but only by a short time difference, since they're twins.

  Another thing is his hyperactivity. At first, André told me his son was a quiet kid and the energetic family member was Limara. When that info hit my ears, I couldn't imagine that girl with her brother's attitude.

  They're polar opposites.

  When I tried to dig more, André refused to talk. His face darkened for a moment, and soon after I noticed sadness in his eyes. After that, he ordered me back to work.

  It seemed strange. But I stopped insisting. Anyway, it's none of my business meddling in others' affairs.

  Well, setting aside family secrets. Darel and I continued our trek.

  He led. Neither spoke. I had nothing to say, and Darel was focused enough on whatever was ahead.

  We stopped at the forest edge. He turned, his expression serious.

  "Listen, I don't like you, and I know you don't like me. But since Dad ordered it, I'll teach you the basics. Don't mess up, got it?"

  "Yeah, fine."

  He handed me a bow and arrow, explaining how to hold it, aim, and release. It seemed simple in theory, but when I tried, the arrow barely flew a few feet before dropping.

  Darel laughed mockingly, but kept teaching. We practiced for a while until I got a bit better.

  Then we went deeper into the woods. Darel tracked an animal. I decided not to stay quiet the rest of the trip and told him to finish this quick. He complied reluctantly.

  After catching a couple small animals, we both returned to the village.

  It's incredible, but I was still angry on the way back.

  These things are my only possessions in this world, and that's why I don't want to lose them. Even if they're useless now, I feel they're part of me... of my history. They help me remember who I am, even if I'm not proud of my past, and if I die again... I don't know, I want these things to be the mark I leave in this world. Though no one knows what they are exactly.

  They make me feel special somehow.

  Anyway.

  We got home safe and sound. His father was surprised he obeyed this time. He noticed our long faces but didn't ask. All he wanted to know was if Darel taught me what he asked.

  I answered positively. I think I'd had enough anger for one day.

  Night fell over us, covering the sky with a huge dark blanket. We enjoyed a delicious dinner: roasted rabbit meat and boiled potatoes. It was the best I'd tried in days. Again, not much talk at the table, maybe some bad joke from Darel, but nothing else.

  I went up to my room, completely exhausted. My eyelids were heavy, and the bed called my name like a flirty damsel.

  I let my body drop and stared at the ceiling, staying like that for a while.

  Out of curiosity, I decided to check my phone. Darel had damaged much of the keyboard, but I could still make out the buttons inside the case. That's when I used my pinky nail to try pressing the power button.

  To my surprise, the phone turned on normally. I sighed in relief. It even had three battery bars left. The guy I stole this from had a good-quality device.

  I browsed the menu nostalgically. Grinning foolishly checking numbers of some favorite girls and recalling good times with them. I wonder if they miss me... God, I really wish I could repeat one of those moments to unwind. I've been through so much since arriving here, and something tells me it's just the beginning.

  Looking through the image gallery, I stumbled on a photo I didn't expect to see again, ruining my peaceful night.

  Thomas's body on the floor with a hole in his head. I looked away and almost threw my phone due to the disgust it caused. I immediately deleted the image, including the contact and message I sent Jimmy. I wanted to forget all this.

  To try relaxing, I played some music, volume low enough only I could hear.

  I didn't notice when I closed my eyes.

  I woke up in the middle of the night and left the room. Careful not to trip, it's so dark here I can't see my own nose.

  Another thing I haven't gotten used to is going out in the dark to do my business. Mainly because of the cold kicking my ass.

  The bathroom is a bit away from the house. Though calling it a bathroom, it's really a cubicle with a hole in the ground. The first time I used it was very uncomfortable... not to mention no toilet paper here, so cleaning's tricky too.

  Better stop now.

  After finishing, I returned to the house, not before noticing a faint light from the garden. Curiosity got me, so I approached carefully to investigate.

  Limara was cleaning a kind of stone altar. I could barely make her out due to the low visibility.

  "Who's there!?"

  I thought I'd been cautious, but she noticed me anyway. I stepped forward, revealing myself.

  "Easy. It's me." I said, raising my hands.

  "You scared me..."

  She sighed in relief, inviting me to join soon after.

  Beside her, I noticed a kind of painting on the smooth surface of a stone. Though weathered by years, I made out a woman's silhouette, plus her name: Asterácia

  "What are you doing?"

  "Cleaning my mom's grave. Didn't have time during the day."

  At this hour?

  It's a quiet village, no doubt. But still, something could happen if she's not careful. Not to mention it seems overkill to do it now instead of waiting till tomorrow.

  I knew something happened to the lady of this family when I didn't see her the first days I stayed in their home. But asking about her seemed intrusive. Still, I'm curious what happened.

  Plus, her face shows repressed sadness. Wanting to let something out.

  "Isn't it a bit late?"

  "Yeah, but at this hour I don't bother my dad or brother." She whispered.

  "And why would you bother them?"

  Limara held her breath and clenched her teeth.

  It was clear she needed to talk to someone. Though I don't understand why hide it with her father and brother around.

  I sat beside her, looking at her mom's painting.

  "What a nice painting. She looked very young."

  "Yeah... she died when I was a child." She commented, sighing. "When I visit, I always feel guilty."

  Her hair swayed with the wind, messing a few strands around her forehead. The weak light from the lantern serenely lit the atmosphere. Insect songs echoed around us.

  She shifted her eyes toward me, seeing my reflection in her shining pupils.

  "Do you have time to listen?"

  "Hey, you sure you want to talk about this? I mean, you have your dad and brother."

  I closed my eyes and pressed my lips.

  I immediately regretted finding her. Despite wanting to know the story, I'm bad with words. I fear saying something out of place or not knowing how to cheer her up.

  "Whenever I come to clean her grave, I start crying buckets, and if a neighbor sees me, they call my dad right away. He already has enough problems without bothering him with my stuff, and Darel's a brute."

  "Yeah, you're right." I chuckled.

  She took a deep breath, trying to calm her feelings. There was a pause, and after a bit, she started talking. Her words were barely audible, lost in the wind.

  "It was my fault." She closed her eyes. "She went into the woods to look for me because I'd gotten lost."

  Her mouth trembled, and her cheeks reddened.

  "Your dad didn't go with her?"

  "No. He and my brother were in the city that day." She continued. "We were alone. I went out to play in the woods and got lost for hours until night fell."

  I listened attentively, and as words left her mouth, I better understood her feelings. Unfortunately, she lost her mother before her eyes due to a sudden storm. Lightning struck nearby, shattering a close tree. She's repressed her feelings since that day. She was so depressed she barely spoke and even thought her father hated her for his wife's death because of her. Though clearly not.

  It was tough years for the family, but over time they moved on. Though I can't say the same for Limara. She keeps regretting.

  "Many times I wish I could go back and prevent it." She added, gazing at the stars.

  "Look, I know what it's like to lose a mother. Remember this afternoon I said I had no family?"

  "Yeah..."

  "It was literal." I forced a smile. "Before coming here, I lost my parents as a kid. Since then, I've been alone, even now."

  "Really? I'm sorry."

  "You don't have to apologize." I shrugged. "But sometimes I like imagining what my life would've been like if my parents hadn't died. I get feeling guilty, but it was an accident. If you keep thinking like that, you'll never find peace." I placed my hand on her shoulder. "Plus, think how your mom would feel seeing you sad all the time."

  "Yeah... I think that's true."

  "Just, I don't know, try not to think about it anymore."

  I don't know if what I said last was best or stupid. But I think I didn't screw up too much. Anyway, we kept chatting a bit, setting aside the sadness. She seemed quite curious about my old life. Confessing at first she doubted me, but ended up believing after some anecdotes.

  Of course, I omitted being a criminal. I didn't want her to hate me or feel uncomfortable around me.

  We returned to the house.

  When I entered the room, I immediately dropped my body onto the straw mattress and fell asleep almost instantly. The bad part was dawn came too quickly. I was so exhausted I refused to get out of bed that day, but forced myself.

  I cursed.